24 June 2008 - Interview with Mariana AVITIA (MEX)—Youngest Mexican athlete ever in Beijing Olympic Games

Interview with Mariana AVITIA (MEX)—Youngest Mexican athlete ever in Beijing Olympic Games Boe – 24 June 2008
We interviewed Mariana AVITIA from Mexico, who will be the youngest Mexican athlete that has ever participated for her country in any sport in the Beijing Olympic Games in August 2008. She will be 15 years old in September, right after the end of Beijing Olympic Games.
Here in Boe, you ranked 65th in the Qualification Round just behind the cut, which means you will not continue to the match plays. Tell us what happened? Well, I have just not shot very well. My releases were not good and sometimes my bowstring was rousing my sleeve… I was missing a bit of technique too. It is just a pity I am only one point behind the 64th…
How does it feel to be qualified for the Olympics and being the youngest athlete of the Mexican delegation at only 14 years old? It is just great; it will be a great experience. The Olympics are a very important competition for Mexico and for the rest of the World, and I feel that I will give the greatest effort to finish in a good place.
It is hard to be far from my family and friends, but I will show that it is not because I am the youngest that I will not fight. Instead I will show it is all possible and give my best. (Redaction note: Denise Parker from USA won Bronze with the US Team in Seoul 1988 at the age of 14.)
How have you been preparing for these Olympics? We have been training a lot with the team, altogether. We have more mental training than technical, since we are missing more knowledge and experience in that part. The technique we already have.
What about family and school? Well, it is a real sacrifice for my family, since I don’t get to see them much and I am not training in my home-city. For what concerns school, they really support me a lot in what I am doing. I cannot follow classes due to the preparation for the Olympics, so they send me homework by mail and I send it back. I am finishing elementary school this year, so I have no exams, but they mark me according to the homework quality that I send back.
What do you expect from these Olympic Games? I just want to rank in a good place and that it remains a great and beautiful experience in my mind. Also, I hope I will qualify for 2012 Olympic Games in London.
What do you think of Olympic values? Of course, they must be respected. We have to be honest with ourselves and respect the rules of the Game.
Do you have any role model? My brother, who introduced me to Archery, and of course my parents, who have always supported me. They are very proud of all I have done. Anyways parents are important for everyone! Also, my team-mate Juan Rene Serrano for all he has done and still has to do and all the rest of the Mexican team.
What relationship do you have with your coach? It is a good relationship. I have progressed a lot with both of them, first with the Chinese coach I had in my club in my town, and now with Prof. Lee from Korea, who has helped me and my team-mates a lot. I have really climbed the stairs with him and am thankful. We enjoy a friendly relationship among the team with the coach, it is really nice.
Do you have any luck-charm that follows you everywhere? Well, I have a lot of items I never leave. Often it is gifts from people and I just always wear them, like my necklace with the Guadalupe Virgin that my parents gave to me a long time ago. Then I have a few bracelets, one that my brother gave to me. On my quiver I have a little monkey called Puca, a towel a friend of mine gave me and also a Patricio doll, it is a character of Bob the Sponge comics.
Finally, is there anything else you would like to add? Just that it is great to be in this sport, archery is really beautiful. There is lots of concentration and elegance. I would have never thought I would end up in such a great sport, I love it.

Chantal Steiner FITA Communication